Finalist Brian Hernandez, Jr., was winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in 2024. He also son the Breeders’ Cup Distaff aboard Thorpedo Anna. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Finalists Announced
Celebration Of Life For Stute’s Sunday At Clockers’ Corner
Santa Anita Stable Notes By Victor Ryan
ARCADIA, Calif.—Five of the nation’s top riders have been nominated for the 76th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award at Santa Anita Park.
Jockeys Kendrick Carmouche, James Graham, Brian Hernandez, Jr., Juan Hernandez and Alfredo Juarez have been named the finalists for the 2025 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award at Santa Anita.
Since 1950, the Woolf Award has honored riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing. One of the most prestigious awards in horse racing, the Woolf Award can only be won once.
Hernandez, a 32-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico, is based at Santa Anita. He has won seven riding titles at Santa Anita since the 2021-22 Winter-Spring meet.
The 2024 Woof Award was won by Junior Alvarado. The 2025 winner will be announced in February.
Regarded as one of the greatest big-money riders of his era, George Woolf was a household word by virtue of winning the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap aboard Azucar on Feb. 23, 1935, and for his association with the immortal Seabiscuit, whom he rode to victory over Triple Crown champion War Admiral in a 1 3/16-mile match race at Pimlico Race Course on Nov. 1, 1938. Affectionately known as “The Iceman,” Woolf was revered by his fellow riders, members of the media and millions of racing fans across America as a fierce competitor and consummate professional.
FINISH LINES … … ….. ……
Trainer Tim McCanna had his first two wins of the Classic Meet Sunday.McCanna won the second race with Grubauer ($2.80), ridden by Assael Espinoza, and came right back in the third race to score with Nameless ($6.40) under Frank Alvarado…
There will be a Celebration of Life at Clockers’ Corner Sunday for late trainer Mel Stute and his wife Annabelle starting at 9 a.m.
